Grow to learn, produce to feed
Background & Justification
In the East Region of Cameroon, where food and educational challenges persist, this pilot project offers an innovative solution: integrating an agroecological educational farm into a secondary school to improve students’ nutrition while strengthening their practical and environmental skills.
With financial support from the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), SAILD is implementing this project in the East Region of Cameroon. This project arose from a clear observation: 2.6 million people were still food insecure in Cameroon in 2025, according to the WFP, and the Eastern Region was no exception; it was selected due to its particular vulnerability. Demographic pressure, the influx of refugees, and limited resources thus become aggravating factors. In this context, school cafeterias have been the focus of various projects aimed at reducing vulnerability in school settings; however, existing cafeterias have demonstrated a persistent reliance on external supplies and limited educational value in terms of learning outcomes.
This project therefore addresses a dual challenge: sustainable school nutrition and practical agroecological education.
The main objective of this project is to contribute to the sustainable improvement of school nutrition and environmental education through an educational farm integrated into the school cafeteria. More specifically, the project will aim to:
Establish a functional educational farm
Train students and educational staff in agroecology
Facilitate access to digital resources
Improve the nutritional quality of meals in school cafeterias
Promote and disseminate the results
The approach of this project is considered innovative due to its focus on:
An educational farm integrated into the school cafeteria
A hands-on agroecological approach (learning by doing)
Introduction of climate-smart practices, including the raising of edible insects (cockchafers)
Creation of an agroecology club with easy access to digital educational resources
Highly replicable model
Establishment of the educational farm
Training for teachers and students
Community-driven development of the farm
Creation of an agroecology club
Training on nutrition and hygiene in school cafeterias
Technical and nutritional support
Communication campaign
1 working educational farm
170 people trained (≥40% women)
Improved dietary diversity
Incorporation of farm products into meals
10,000 people reached
Duration
July 2026 – June 2027 (12 months)
Project Area
Country: Cameroon
Region: East / Department: Lom-et-Djerem
City: Bertoua
Beneficiary Profile
150 students
20 teachers/educational staff and cafeteria managers
An extended school community including parents.
Regional Secondary Education Office
Parents’ Association (APE)
Bertoua Urban Community